Bill > S01931

This bill, known as "Lindsey's law," criminalizes a specific form of retaliation by public servants against employees or non-employees who have filed sexual harassment complaints. The legislation creates a new criminal offense called "official misconduct for retaliation," which occurs when a public servant knowingly discloses confidential government records (such as personnel files or documents related to a sexual harassment incident) to unauthorized parties as punishment for someone making a sexual harassment complaint. The bill provides detailed definitions of sexual harassment, which include unwelcome sexual advances, creating a hostile work environment, and inappropriate sexual conduct that interferes with work performance. The definition of sexual harassment is intentionally broad and not limited to male-female interactions. "Public servant" is also comprehensively defined to include elected officials, government employees, and those designated to become public servants. If convicted, the offender would be charged with a class A misdemeanor, which typically carries potential penalties like fines and up to one year in jail. The law is designed to protect individuals who come forward with sexual harassment claims from suffering additional harm through the unauthorized disclosure of their personal information.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1931